Photos: Avery Hinojosa leads Harlingen to 62-56 win over Laredo Alexander in 6A girls basketball playoffs

Senior Avery Hinojosa scored 22 points to help Harlingen beat Laredo Alexander 62-56 in the Texas high school girls basketball playoffs on Thursday night.

LAREDO, Texas - Senior Avery Hinojosa scored 22 points to help Harlingen beat Laredo Alexander 62-56 in the Texas high school girls basketball playoffs on Thursday night.

With the victory the Lady Cardinals claim the Region IV-6A area championship and move on to play the winner of the San Antonio Harlan vs. Edinburg Vela game in the regional quarterfinals.

This was the third meeting between Harlingen and Laredo Alexander; they split their first two meetings.

“One thing about our players is that we have been in a lot of tough games all season and that kind of helps us prepare,” Harlingen head coach Ashley Moncivaiz said. “Early on when we played (Laredo Alexander) it was like that the same way. They got real hot and we had to keep our composure as we tried to get back in, but we pulled out that win last time. I am proud of them to fight and compete and keep their composure.” 

Hinojosa and company came out red hot, building a quick 8-0 advantage and forcing an early timeout by Laredo Alexander head coach Ivan Medellin. Hinojosa exploded for 14 points in the opening quarter and was one of the main reasons Harlingen built a 26-11 lead. She slashed and pushed her way into the paint for layups and pulled up for 3-pointers - and Laredo Alexander had no answer. 

Laredo Alexander’s Kayla Herrera accounted for her team's first six points, but Harlingen had too many offensive weapons.

In the second quarter Harlingen controlled the tempo with five players contributing on offense. Hinojosa scored five points in the quarter, and Rosa Zapata, Juli Bryant, Angelina Gutierrez, and Athena Linnartz all got in the scoring column as the Lady Cardinals took a 39-24 halftime lead.

Laredo Alexander came out in the third quarter with a sense of urgency and attacked the basket. The Lady Bulldogs were able to get to the free throw line, going 6-for-6 early in the quarter. Herrera, who hit two crucial free throws in the bi-district championship game, was perfect from the line, and senior Samantha Carranza went 4-for-4. The Lady Cardinals were held to eight points in the quarter as Laredo Alexander trimmed their lead to 47-41.

Harlingen maintained their composure every time Laredo Alexander made an offensive surge in the fourth quarter - even when they cut the lead to three points with 3:11 remaining. Herrera stole the ball and went coast-to-coast for a layup and was fouled in the process. She iced her free throw to make it a 54-51 game.

On the ensuing play Bryant hit a basket to push the lead to five, then it became a parade to the free throw line. Emery Scoggins converted several free throws down the stretch and finished with six points - all in the fourth quarter. 

With 1:17 left in the game, Scoggins hit two free throws to increase Harlingen's lead to seven points. Harlingen continued to hit crucial free throws down the stretch - including free throws by Zapata and Scoggins - to extend the Lady Cards' lead to 62-53.

Laredo Alexander’s Sophia Villalobos hit a three-pointer as time expired to account for the final margin. Villalobos finished with a team-high 16 points.

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